(2) The provision of paragraph (1) of subsection (a) of this Section prohibiting the sale, manufacture, purchase, possession, or carrying of any knife, commonly referred to as a switchblade knife, which has a blade that opens automatically by hand pressure applied to a button, spring or other device in the handle of the knife, does not apply to a person who possesses a currently valid Firearm Owner’s Identification Card previously issued in his or her name by the Department of State Police or to a person or an entity engaged in the business of selling or manufacturing switchblade knives.

There are about 2.1 million FOID card holders in Illinois. This is a significant reform, because it eliminates the statewide ban on these knives for 2.1 million people.

Any resident of Illinois with a clean record can obtain an FOID card for $10 and the trouble of filling out an application.